Now the 18-year-old is poised to get the opportunity to test himself on the Premier League stage after being handed a place in the Blues' matchday squad for Saturday's lunchtime clash with leaders Leicester.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he was down to 14 fit senior players at his pre-match press conference and soon after Spaniard Garcia tweeted: "Buzzing to be in the squad tomorrow. Come on City!"

Pellegrini gave youngsters Cameron Humphreys, Angelino and Bersant Celina playing time as substitutes in the FA Cup win over Aston Villa last week and included Celina and Brandon Barker on the bench against Sunderland in midweek.

With Kevin de Bruyne and Jesus Navas ruled out EDS squad right winger Garcia - who signed from Villarreal - has been drafted into the squad.

He describes himself as a passing player.

“It’s really difficult for me to speak about me but I know that people praise the way I pass the ball. My style of play suits the passing game and also the way I shape myself with the rest of my team-mates," he said.

“I think it’s all about challenges and this is the biggest challenge possible and that’s why I decided to come here. I’m really happy to be here."

Aleix Garcia in EDS action against Tottenham

Garcia is a Spain under-18 winger who made his La Liga debut for Villarreal as a substitute in the last 13 minutes of last season, during a 4-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.

He was one of the first intake at Villarreal after then manager Manuel Pellegrini revamped the youth set-up at the club in 2004.